Ren
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8
Renames files or directories. This command is the same as the rename command.
For examples of how to use this command, see Examples.
Syntax
ren [<Drive>:][<Path>]<FileName1> <FileName2>
rename [<Drive>:][<Path>]<FileName1> <FileName2>
Parameters
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
[<Drive>:][<Path>]<FileName1> |
Specifies the location and name of the file or set of files you want to rename. FileName1 can include wildcard characters (* and ?). |
<FileName2> |
Specifies the new name for the file. You can use wildcard characters to specify new names for multiple files. |
/? |
Displays help at the command prompt. |
Remarks
You cannot specify a new drive or path when renaming files.
You cannot use the ren command to rename files across drives or to move files to a different directory.
You can use wildcard characters (* and ?) in either FileName parameter. Characters that are represented by wildcard characters in FileName2 will be identical to the corresponding characters in FileName1.
FileName2 must be a unique file name. If FileName2 matches an existing file name, ren displays the following message:
Duplicate file name or file not found
Examples
To change all the .txt file name extensions in the current directory to .doc extensions, type:
ren *.txt *.doc
To change the name of a directory from Chap10 to Part10, type:
ren chap10 part10